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Saturday, 29 August 2015

Did You Know Series (31): An Indian Game called “Sagol Kangjei” which originated in Manipur (India) & has been adapted all over the World as the Modern Game of “Polo”:

Did
You Know Series (31): An Indian Game called “Sagol Kangjei” which originated in Manipur (India) & has been adapted
all over the World as the Modern Game of “Polo”:

The
Origins of the Game called “Sagol Kangjei”:

“Sagol Kangjei” (or “Kangjei
Bazee” or “Pulu”) is the name of
a game played in Manipur, India. “Sagol”
means “pony” or “horse” while “Kang”
means a ball or round object which is meant to be hit by a stick called “jei”.

It is believed that the
game which was first played in Manipur has its origins around 3300 BC. The story of the origin of
the game in Manipur is very interesting.

Around 3300 BC, King Kangha, the
monarch of Manipur, introduced “Sagol
Kangjei” during the festival known as Ukrong Hongba. He demonstrated how a
bamboo root clump could be dribbled with his walking stick and asked his men to
play the game on horseback.

In fact,
there is an ancient “Purana” (Ancient
Hindu text), called the “Kangjeiron or
Kanjeirol Purana” which is a kind of historical document spelling out the
history of the game in the State of Manipur. References of this game are also
found in the “Thangmeirol” another
ancient text.

The origins of Sagol
Kangjei are, also, associated mythologically with “Marjing” the God of the “Chenglei”
Tribe to whom offerings similar to the ancient stick (or “Jei”) along with a ball (or “Kang”)
are still offered in worship.

The Game is deep rooted in
the culture and folklore of Manipur and several sequences in festivals are
dedicated to the game – for example, in the “Lai Haraoba” Festival in which there is a sequence in which there
is a search of a bride (Lai Mupi Thiba)
by a Priestess (Maibi) with the stick
(jei) in hand.

The oldest “Sagol Kangjei” ground (where later Polo
was also played) is the Imphal Polo Ground in the State of Manipur. The history
of this “Sagol Kangjei” ground is
contained in the Royal Chronicle “Cheitharol
Kumbaba” in 33 AD.

Significance
of the Game:

Sagol Kangjei symbolises
the immense cultural heritage of the State of Manipur and several efforts have
been made to raise the standard of this popular game. Prominent patrons of Sagol
Kangjei have among their ranks – King Kyamba and King Khagemba (1597-1672 AD)
and King Chandra Kirti (1850-1886). King Chandra Kirti is in fact credited with
popularising this sport across the Globe.

The Kings of Manipur had a
Royal ground for playing “Sagol Kangjei”
within the Kangla Fort where they played “Manung
Kangjei Bung” (meaning “Inner Sagol Kangjei
Ground”). Public games were held at the “Mapan
Kangjei Bung” (meaning “Outer Sagol Kangjei
Ground”). Weekly games called “Hapta
Kangjei” (Weekly Kangjei) were also played in a ground outside the Palace.

The
Positions in the game of “Sagol Kangjei”
and playing the Game:

The following positions
are there in a game of “Sagol Kangjei”:

Pun–Ngak (Full
Back)

Pun–Ngakchun (Half
Back)

Pulluk (Left
Wing & Right Wing)

Langjei
(Centre)

Pun–Jen (Inner)

Pun–Jenchun (Inner)

There are no goal posts in
this game. Goal lines are determined by the end of the two boundaries of the
rectangular field. The ball (kangdrum)
is white in colour. To score a goal, the ball must cross the line.

The traditional attire
consists of a chin–strap (khadangchet)
and a turban for protecting the head. Leg–guards (khongyom) are worn below the knee. No shoes are worn, instead the players use “khumit–khang”. A leash
of thick leather is held by the index finger of the left hand.

This game is usually
played in Manipur during the month of “Mera”
(September/October) and ends in the month of “Ingen” (June/July).

There are seven players in
each side who mount & ride ponies which are usually 4/5 feet in height.

Each player carries a “jei” or “stick” is made of cane or bamboo-wood
and is called “Kang–hu” It is 4 to 4½
Feet in length and has a head of hard wood, a foot long, set at an obtuse angle
to the length of the stick. The ball is made of a bamboo root and has a
diameter of 3 to 3 ½ inches. The mounted players gallop after the ball to hit
it straight across the opponent’s boundary to score a goal.

The game is extremely
vigorous and requires a lot of stamina. There are two styles to the Game
– the “Pana” or original Manipur
style and the International style or “Polo”.

The popularity of the game
is immense and Manipuri players in their sixties and even seventies are known
to take part and seen riding their ponies with great enthusiasm at full gallop
while playing the game. The ponies are decorated with various guards,
protecting their eyes, forehead, flanks etc so as not to cause them any bodily
harm in the course of the Games.

There
is no other country in the World, where a similar game is played both on foot
and horseback, as such to Manipur goes the credit of inventing this game which
has evolved through constant experiments and additions to the way this unique
game is played.

The British during their
occupation of India, learnt the nuances of the game of Sagol Kangjei in the 19th
century from Manipur and with a subtle refinement, the indigenous game was renamed
Polo and was exported to the United Kingdom.

Later, “Sagol
Kangjei” has been adapted and adopted by the International enthusiasts of
the game as “Polo” which is played worldwide. Today Professional polo is played
in at least 16 countries.

The
difference between “Sagol Kangjei” & Polo is that while Polo is a game
patronised by the Royalty and upper crust of Society both in India &
abroad, “Sagol Kangjei” has always been a game for the masses.

Nevertheless,
there is no doubt as to the origins of the game of Polo which has its roots in
the unique game of Sagol Kangjei played in Manipur for thousands of years.

Commemorative
Stamps issued by India Post on the game of “Sagol Kangjei”:

On 29.11.2014, India Post
released a Rs. Five stamp commemorating the game of Sagol Kangjei. An image of
a First day Cover & the Stamp are placed below. The cancellation stamp
shows a player riding at full gallop positioning himself to strike the ball
during play.

Thank you, Lalingkar sahab. The fact that this game was played in Manipur from around 3100 BC & finds a mention in several ancient Indian texts, shows the popularity and importance given to this game for thousands of years

Buzkashi (literally "goat dragging" in Persian) or "Kokpar" is the Central Asian sport in which horse-mounted players attempt to drag a goat or calf carcass toward a goal. It is the national sport of Afghanistan, although it was banned under the Taliban regime. Traditionally, games could last for several days, but in its more regulated tournament version it has a limited match time. Buzkashi may have begun with the nomadic Turkic-Mongol peoples who have come from farther north and east spreading westward from China and Mongolia between the 10th and 15th centuries in a centuries-long series of migrations that ended only in the 1930s.Buzkashi remains a legacy of that bygone era. This sport is distinctly different to "Sagol Kangjei". Also Buzkashi seems to be of a much later origin.

Vikram Bhatnagar has commented:"So apart from stealing our wealth and happiness, the 'grazers also stole an ancient game! We must remind that anti cattle class guy to raise this issue at the propah forum!"

About Me

I am Rajeev Prasad, a retired State Bank of India officer who had been collecting coins in a shoe box without having a serious interest. Only after quitting my job I got the time to take serious interest in developing my coin collection into a hobby. A pity, because I would have had more opportunity to lay my hands on more 'exclusive coins' while in the Bank. Anyway, as they say,better late than never. If you have any views to share with me regarding this blog , please contact me on my email rajeevprasad1208@gmail.com. I also have a twitter account @prasad_rajeev.
I had an opportunity to participate in a Documentary on the life and times of the 25 paise coin titled “Chal Basi Chavanni” (The four anna/twenty five paise coin passes away), aired by STAR NEWS on 29th and 30th June 2011. The programme helped in making many persons hold back onto their “chavannis”, the little round beauties, instead of returning them to Banks .